TWO MORE RUNS EN ROUTE TO “GUARD’S” MELBOURNE CUP MISSION

KRIS Lees understandably was downcast when he had to withdraw Cleveland the day before the Melbourne Cup two years ago.

Cleveland had won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) in his final lead-up, but an elevated temperature forced his scratching from Flemington’s famous 3200m contest.

Now the leading Newcastle trainer is looking to another import who races in the same Lloyd Williams colours (which have been carried by no less than seven Melbourne Cup winners) to give him the chance to win the great race.

Changingoftheguard moved a step closer to his Melbourne Cup mission when he led throughout in last Saturday’s Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

Ridden by James McDonald, the seven-year-old carried 59kg and outstayed favorite Travolta, to whom he conceded 6kg.

“Changingoftheguard had not won since the Royal Ascot carnival just over three years ago, so it was very satisfying to get him back into the winning list,” Lees said this afternoon.

“He has pulled up really well, and will probably have only two more runs before the Melbourne Cup (which carries a $10m purse for the first time) on November 4.

“Most likely he will go next to The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4, although the 2500m Bart Cummings (which provides the winner with a free ticket into the Cup) at Flemington is run the same day.

“Changingoftheguard’s final lead-up would be in either the Moonee Valley Cup or Geelong Cup.”

Lees says the lightly-raced gelding is clean-winded and will need only two more runs heading to the Cup.

“He ran first-up over 2400m at Rosehill Gardens in mid-June, then had seven weeks to the 2500m Quality at Flemington on August 2 (where he finished second), and another five weeks to last Saturday’s race,” Lees said.

Changingoftheguard is currently at $15 with TAB.com.au for The Metropolitan (Birdman and Half Yours are $8 joint favorites), and $26 for the Melbourne Cup (Al Riffa is $9 favorite).

He has raced only 15 times, and is one of four horses Lees has entered for the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan.

The others are Adelaide River, Age Of Sail and Cleveland.

Age Of Sail will contest Friday week’s $300,000 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m), and Cleveland is a possibility to also run.

Age Of Sail was never likely when seventh to Saltcoats in last Friday’s Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), but his trainer said a slowly run race didn’t help his chances.

Lees has nominated Adelaide River, Lord Of Biscay and Tavi Time for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on the same day as The Metropolitan.

. Meanwhile, he has called on Nash Rawiller to ride Rivellino in Saturday’s Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Jason Collett rode the colt in his first-up fourth to Raging Force in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at that track on August 30, but has taken the mount on Chris Waller’s unbeaten three-year-old Autumn Boy, whom he partnered in his debut win at Canterbury on June 9 and also in his latest trial at Warwick Farm last Thursday.

“The 1200m on Saturday will suit Rivellino better, and the 1400m of the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 27 even more,” Lees said.

. Seventy-nine horses were entered for The Metropolitan, and other provincial nominations were Flying Bandit (Kerry Parker), Our Gold Hope (Rob and Luke Price), and North Terrace and Shadashi (Ed Cummings).

Ninety-six horses are in the Epsom Handicap, with Our Gold Hope (Rob and Luke Price), Well Timed (Kerry Parker), Diamond Diesel (Adam Duggan) and Bernen Win (Ed Cummings) also amongst them.

Story John Curtis, September 8, 2025